Automotive

Identity Crisis: Prindiville's electric Hummer

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The Hummer goes electric
The Hummer goes electric
It may not have the size of a traditional Hummer, but it's certainly more environmentally conscious
The Prindiville Electric Hummer has two seats and three doors
Prindiville has launched the Hummer in a 25-model Limited Edition series
The Hummer uses a 72-volt electric powertrain
The Hummer gets between 30 and 60 miles (48 and 96 km) per charge, depending upon battery selection and driving style
The Electric Hummer rides on a high-grade steel chassis
The E-Hummer uses a fiberglass body
Inside the Electric Hummer
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The Hummer is the poster child for the big, gas-guzzling mentality of decades past that's categorically shunned in today's eco-sensitive world. One boutique automotive firm has decided to blend a Hummer-style body and features with an all-electric powertrain, creating a Hummer for a new generation.

Back when all that car buyers worried about were self-involved considerations like space and utility, the Hummer was one of the big, capable SUVs that took over highways and country roads. To hell with the fact that in most cases the beast would never see a speck of dirt, it was roomy, powerful and just plain cool – everything a driver needed. Of course, as the car-buying public grew weary of gas prices and environmental damage, the Hummer's appeal quickly faded and the brand spiraled into obsolescence. After an attempt to sell the brand failed, GM nailed Hummer's doors shut in 2010.

UK coachbuilder Prindiville has decided to resuscitate the Hummer name with a jolt of electricity. Its Electric Hummer uses a 72-volt electric powertrain and lightweight build to bring a shade of eco-friendliness to the Hummer nameplate.

Though Prindiville mentions that the Electric Hummer is officially licensed from GM and "built to traditional specification," it appears more akin to a Power Wheels styled like a Hummer than an actual H3. Designed for "daily city commuter transport, commercial fleets, or businesses who wish to take advantage of a unique and eye-catching advertising medium," the rear-wheel-drive Electric Hummer has no off-road ambitions.

That's good, because the tiny range (between 30 and 60 miles/48 and 96 km depending upon configuration) would likely leave you stranded in the wild, while the 40 mph (64 km/h) top speed would be brutally slow on the drive to the trail head. As the naked eye suspects, the 2-seat, 3-door car's 9.8 x 4.6 x 4.6-foot (3 x 1.4 x 1.4-m) sizing is significantly smaller than a traditional Hummer.

The Hummer gets between 30 and 60 miles (48 and 96 km) per charge, depending upon battery selection and driving style

The "Hummer" aspect of the Prindiville is clearly about branding and novelty, but the car offers some noteworthy elements when analyzed by its own virtue. It gets the most out of its 72-volt powertrain by employing a lightweight high-grade steel chassis and fiberglass body. It also uses fully adjustable four-wheel suspension, adaptive rear drums and front hydraulic disc brakes. The AC brushless motor is connected to a 2-speed automatic transmission.

Prindiville is debuting the Electric Hummer in a 25-run Limited Edition series. Limited Edition models include carbon fiber detailing, injection-molded LED headlamps and tail lamps, and a chrome grille. Inside, driver and passenger will enjoy heated seats, an LCD dashboard display, Pioneer audio system with CD and MP3, and Prindiville floor mats.

The Limited Edition Prindiville Hummer is available for order now at a base price of US$40,000. Available options include leather interior, carbon fiber trim and a solar panel roof.

Source: Prindiville

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10 comments
Nick Thompson
Not a real hummer, what a disappointment. Why not give it a new name? IMO this hurts the Hummer image more so then just being a gas hog. The vehicle and Hummer image is about tough, off roading, extreme, even if most folks never actually use it to off road in. Why not create a diesel electric hybrid on a real size H3? Volvo has 100mpg diesel/electric station wagons, too bad they do not import that engine option to the U.S. Even with twice the weight, im sure GM could squeeze out 50mpg with the same technology, which for a giant vehicle isnt too shabby. Im sure the off roaders would love the instant torque availability as well.
Slowburn
GM ruined the Hummer when they let the art department redesign it making it just another SUV. They should have kept it mil spec except for the interior and possibly a pneumatic or flywheel energy recovery system.
Eric Malatji
I think its a hummer for elfs.
Alan Belardinelli
That is one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time. It reminds me of those dinky little Smart-based "supercar" kits. Although, the "S(m)uper cars" are probably more useful.. http://automodificationnew.blogspot.no/2011/02/cool-smart-car-body-kits.html
Siegfried Gust
I always wondered why the electric/hybrid vehicles were always tiny things that had reasonably low consumption ICE equivalents. Electric/hybrid trucks make far more sense. They have far more to gain and have the space and heavy frame to accommodate the batteries and other hardware that come along with electric propulsion. I would say a full electric propulsion full size pick-up with a small diesel range extender ICE would find a huge market. 4-wheel drive and low end torque could be really improved with each wheel having it's own dedicated electric motor. And the fuel savings would appeal to all of of us who have had to pay for filling the tank on a conventional truck.
Mirmillion
Oh, come on...this is ridiculous. One day someone will get serious about using a low-loss transmission and the sheer weight of the hummer to maximize range and make it a viable electric vehicle (probably with a range extender).
In the meantime, what's special about this vehicle?
bergamot69
This begs the question- why?
There are other electric vehicles that have a far more usable range and top speed- and given that the user would have to stay well within that range as you wouldn't want to run out- especially in winter when batteries are not at their best, this vehicle is almost useless in the real world.
sk8dad
Let's see...can't go off road, low ground clearance, minimal cargo capacity, short range, slow, and ugly...I mean in a Hummer's little brother who got sick a lot growing up sort of way.
I should be surprised if this masterpiece practicality and aesthetics won't fly off the shelves (though not too far on account of the short range, and if the shelves are close to the ground on account of the lack of off-road worthiness).
electric38
Make an optional quick - replace battery and it will lessen the "range anxiety" a bit. It is a shame that all of the electric vehicles do not have a standard that makes the design universal. Then any make of electric vehicle can pull up to a "battery station" and get a 1 minute replacement. If the stations were solar powered, several advantages would be combined. 1-No range anxiety for any vehicle. 2-Bye bye big oil and all of the military costs accrued to protect your wealth. Bye, bye to money from oil that goes to mid-eastern terrorist groups. 3-Pollution? What pollution? 4-Combine it with a universal wheelchair battery exchange (yes the baby boomers will use them), or better yet, an electric bike/wheelchair universal design. 5-Health care costs? Yes, they will go down. Anyone near a coal plant knows the true costs of fossil fuel. 6-As volume increases (for rooftop solar and electric cars), costs will rapidly fall.
Gargamoth
Call it a Prindiville, but by no means call this anyones Hummer. Possibly Jeep wrangler but they're even better than this. But this is missing the size and muscle of the Hummer. just leave it as eco friendly. Someday in the future eletric vehicle will have the muscle to go offroad..